IT'S RELEVANT ORIGINAL

Stamford Police to Give Away Bike Helmets

Giving away 911 helmets in effort to protect children in community

The Stamford Police Association is hosting its 20th annual bike helmet giveaway for children ages 4 to 16 this Saturday. Stamford police will be giving away bike helmets at Fairway Market in Stamford.

The bike helmet giveaway was started in 1995 by now retired police officer Glenn Coppola and his wife Peggy in honor of their son Timothy who was hit by a car while riding a bike in 1992. It was the first time ever that Timothy was not wearing a bike helmet. He suffered severe brain damage and died 22 months later at age 10.

“There are few things more important than taking proactive initiatives to protect our children. This annual event is important to our members and this year we will give away another 911 helmets to families across our community in the hope it can prevent traumatic brain injuries," said Todd Lobraico, president of the police association,

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) children ages 0-14 make almost 500,000 emergency room visits annually for Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Fifty-three percent of bicycle injuries treated in emergency departments involve children under 15 according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.

The Coppola family began the bike helmet giveaway to prevent similar tragedies from occurring to other families in the community. The Stamford Police Association supported that effort and has since continued the important life-saving program. Since the free helmet giveaway program began, more than 25,000 children have been properly fitted with free helmets.

A limited number of toddler size helmets will also be available. This year's giveaway will also include a bike rodeo and K-9 police dog and handler demonstrations.

The giveaway will take place this Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at Fairway Market, 699 Canal St., Stamford, Conn.